Hungary is one of the most striking destinations in Eastern Europe, not only for its history, but also for its medieval architecture, the cultural diversity that permeates its walls and the nature that surrounds it all. The landscapes are varied, with rolling hills, volcanic terrain, wine plantations, forests and marshlands, and there are plenty of activities to do. Another plus point is that the country is quite affordable. Thinking of travelling to Eastern Europe? Well, get ready because in this post we’ll tell you all about what to see in Hungary.
What are the most beautiful cities to see in Hungary?
The most beautiful city in Hungary is undoubtedly the capital, which is why it is also the most popular with tourists. However, it is not the only one worth a visit: do you know Szeged, Eger or Pécs? These are just a few examples, but there are many more amazing cities to see in Hungary as we will tell you below.
1. Budapest, the most impressive city to see in Hungary
Hungary’s capital is well-connected to the towns around the lake, and is a good choice for a day trip. It takes about 1.5 hours by car or train, and departures are fairly frequent.
In Budapest you must see the Parliament and the Danube Shoes, the Széchenyi Thermal Baths, the Budapest Citadel, Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, the Jewish Quarter and the Great Synagogue of Budapest. The Central Market is also a place not to be missed, where you can buy typical Hungarian products. Clearly you won’t have time to see it all in one day, but at least you’ll get a good souvenir of its streets and lively pubs.
2. Szeged
Szeged, also known as the City of the Sun, is one of Hungary’s most recommended tourist destinations. Located at the mouth of the Maros River, it is the third-largest city in the country and receives the most hours of daylight. Hence, its recognition as the city of the sun. The best things to see in Szeged are the old town, through which the Tisza River flows, but there are other interesting sights such as the Dömötör Tower, the university botanical garden and the Móra Ferenc Museum of History.
On the outskirts of the city there is a zoo dedicated to the protection and conservation of wildlife, and if you follow the Tisza River, you’ll see that water activities are organized in the surrounding villages
3. Eger
Eger is one of the most picturesque cities to see in Hungary, with its colourful buildings surrounded by nature. It is mainly known for the castle complex located on the hill guarding the city, but also for the numerous museums and exhibitions they make available to tourists.
Eger also boasts thermal water facilities and several wineries of its own. In fact, the town is a gastronomic hotspot famous for its wines. So a visit to the wineries, which include wine tastings, is a must.
Organize your travel itinerary with Passporter easy and functional. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you the most, adding them to the route map.
4. Sopron
Sopron, on the Austrian border, is one of the most interesting cities to see in Hungary. Its inhabitants speak both Hungarian and German, and the walls of its medieval buildings hide centuries of history. The best thing to do is to wander among the town’s Baroque buildings, more than 200 of which are protected for their historical value.
Other interesting sights to see in Sopron are the Synagogue and Fire Tower, a tower with 200 steps up which you can climb to get a panoramic view of the city. In addition, the city is surrounded by the Neusiedler National Park, where there are several hiking trails through virgin forests and the Neusiedler Lake.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What are the most impressive natural jewels to see in Hungary?
The variety of natural landscapes in Hungary is a true marvel. There are a total of ten national parks comprising wetlands, forests, dunes and riverbanks. They include natural gems such as caves, navigable rivers and lakes that look like seas because of their sheer size.
1. Lake Balaton and its beaches
The Lake Balaton, after Budapest, is the second most recommended place to see in Hungary. It is an 80 km long and 14 km wide lake that receives hundreds of tourists every year in search of sun and beach. In the surrounding area there are also numerous towns to see, the most famous of which are Balatonfüred, Zamárdi and Veszprém.
The most impressive, however, is the Tihany Peninsula and Lake Hérviz. The Tihany Peninsula is part of the Balaton Highlands National Park and just 5 km into the lake. At the tip there is an abbey from where the views are breathtaking, and you can also take walks in the forest.
On the other hand, we have Lake Herviz, famous for its hot springs. It is a small lake located in the crater of an ancient volcano, where the water is kept at 22º all year round. In the surrounding area there is a lush forest, making it the best place to relax and unwind.
2. The best caves to see in Hungary
There are many caves to see in Hungary. Several rivers flow through the country, eroding the terrain to form these wonderful natural features, which are often navigable or used as hot springs. The most famous caves are as follows:
In Cave Bath in Miskolctapolca a spectacular spa has been built in the cavities of the cave where you can bathe for 3100 HUF all year round except January. Other famous caves are the Aggtelek Caves. They are considered a World Heritage Site because of their size (more than 300 caves) and the size of their stalactites. The entrance fee is around 2200 HUF. The last cave to see is Lake Cave in Tapolca. As the name suggests, its main attraction is that there is a navigable lake inside the cave. The visit is by rowing boat and costs 2200 HUF.
What to do in Hungary
We’ve already looked at the main cities and natural areas to see in Hungary, but there’s more. One of the country’s most famous tourist attractions is its river cruises, as well as a must-visit Hungarian wine capital, Tokaj.
1. Cruises on the Danube and Tisza rivers
There are two major navigable rivers running through the country, the Danube and the Tisza. Both run through the main cities, giving them charm and a unique personality, but if you get away from the urban centres, these rivers have a lot to offer. There are numerous excursions along them, beaches, and water activities such as canoeing and windsurfing.
Another popular activity in Hungary is cruising. The excursion can be booked for 2 to 9 days, and the boat travels along the rivers visiting the main cities and points of interest in the country, such as Budapest or the Tokaj region. There are also cruises that include Bratislava and Vienna.
2. Wine tasting in Tokaj
Tokaj is a wine-growing region famous the world over for its Aszú wines. The vines grow on hills of volcanic terrain, making the landscape a real spectacle. There are also small medieval villages in the region where you can stock up on cheap bottles of wine and other local products such as vinegar and honey. Some of these villages are Màd, Tokaj or Sárospatak.
Tokaj is a perfect weekend destination as there’s not much else to do beyond strolling around and visiting wineries. So if you’re a wine lover looking for peace and quiet, you’ll love the Tokaj region.
Hungary 7-day travel itinerary
Hungary is the great unknown of the central European countries, but we’re sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised. The most common trip to Budapest is usually between 2 and 3 days, however, we suggest a slightly longer itinerary to better enjoy your experience in Hungary.
It’s best to start in Budapest, which is where the international flights arrive. You’ll need to spend at least two days there. After that, you can head to Lake Balaton and spend a day relaxing on the beach or visiting the surrounding towns. To the south you will find the cities of Pècs, Szeged and Szolnok. And to the east is the Tokaj region, where you should spend at least a day enjoying the local wine.
Back in Budapest, there are a couple of towns worth seeing in Hungary, such as Esztergom and Gyor. Following this route you’ll see the country’s main cities, but if you have the option, we recommend extending your trip a little further to include the national parks.
How to get to and around Hungary
The best way to get there is by plane. There are frequent flights from Spain (Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga) to Budapest’s international airport, Ferihegy Repuloter, which is also served by low-cost airlines. The flight takes about three hours. Another good option, especially if you’re touring Europe, is to travel by train from another nearby capital.
With regard to mobility within the country, the options depend on your travel plan. The main cities are well connected by train and bus, but there are rural regions such as Tokaj which, although quite touristy, are not well served by public transport. When travelling around the country, it’s advisable to hire a car at the airport. The more touristy places have parking facilities where you can leave your car, and renting a car doesn’t usually cost more than €25 a day.
Travel tips for Hungary
- The official currency of Hungary is the Hungarian Forint
- We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as it will be cheaper.
- As European citizens we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just your ID card or passport is enough.
- The best time to travel to Hungary is in spring and autumn, when there are fewer tourists and temperatures are more pleasant than in winter or summer.
- Buy museum tickets in advance to avoid queues.
- The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
- Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
How to organize a trip to Hungary
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers
- Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
- Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Hungary
If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions when travelling to Hungary
If travelling from any EU country, an ID card or passport is more than enough, as long as you are not staying in the country for more than 90 days.
The official Hungarian currency is the Florin (HUF). Many establishments accept euros, but the exchange rate is not always the most accurate. It is preferable to bring money from home.
Hungary is not a particularly expensive country. The average price of (normal) hotels is €60 per night and meals are rarely more than €15. Entrance fees to museums are also not excessive and if we also take into account that many activities are outdoors in nature, i.e. free of charge, the budget shrinks even more.
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